For the Muslim world, the prayer ritual holds great significance. Five daily prayers, known as Fard, are obligatory and are prescribed at specific times: morning, noon, afternoon, evening, and night. Those who are new to prayer and have not yet accustomed themselves to all prayer times often seek detailed information on ‘how to perform prayer.’ We have compiled all the essential information you need to know about the procedure of performing prayer.
The Obligatory Elements Of Prayer
There are twelve obligatory elements of prayer. The obligatory elements of prayer are divided into two groups: those outside the prayer and those within the prayer. The obligatory elements outside the prayer are called ‘conditions of prayer’ because they are related to preparation and are essential before the prayer itself. The obligatory elements within the prayer, on the other hand, are called ‘pillars of prayer’ as they constitute the nature of the prayer, forming its essence and concept. There are a total of 12 obligatory elements of prayer, with six inside the prayer and six outside of it.
Obligatory Elements Outside Of Prayer
- Purification from Impurity: To perform ritual bathing (gusl), ablution (wudu or ablution), or dry ablution (tayammum).
- Cleansing from Filth: Cleaning our body, clothing, and the place where we will perform the prayer.
- Covering of the Intimate Parts: Covering the parts that need to be covered in our body.
- Prayer Time: The time for the prayer we are going to perform has come.
- Qibla: To face the qibla while praying.
- Intention: To intend for the prayer we are going to perform.
Obligatory Elements Inside Of Prayer
- Opening Takbir: To take the opening takbir for prayer.
- Station of Standing: Standing in prayer.
- Recitation: Reciting the Qur’an in prayer.
- The bowing position: Performing the bowing position in prayer.
- The prostration position: Performing the prostration in prayer.
- Last sitting position: At the end of the prayer (before giving the Salam), sitting and reciting ‘At-Tahiyyatu’.
How To Perform Prayer ?
Intention
An example translation of the performance of the two units of Fajr (morning) prayer: First Rak’ah:
1) The feet are positioned with a four-finger gap between them, and the tips of the toes are directed towards the qibla while standing.
2) The call to prayer (for men) is pronounced. The intention is made by saying, ‘I intend to perform the obligatory Fajr prayer for the sake of Allah today.
The Opening Takbir
The Opening Takbir is taken by saying ‘Allahu Akbar.’ For men, during the Takbir, the palms of the hands face towards the qibla, with the fingers in their natural position. The thumbs are raised to the level of the earlobes, and the hands are lifted upwards. Women, during the Takbir, also face their palms towards the qibla, with the fingers in their natural position, and raise their hands upwards, with the fingertips reaching shoulder level.
Station of Standing
After the takbir, hands are tied. While standing, look at the place to prostrate. In standing order: a) Sübhaneke, b) Eûzü-besmele, c) Surah Fatiha, d) Another surah from the Qur’an is recited. Men place the palm of the right hand on the left hand and the thumb and pinky fingers of the right hand grasping the wrist of the left hand, with their hands clasped below the navel. Women place their hands on the chest with the right hand over the left hand. They do not grasp the wrist of the left hand with the fingers of the right hand as men do.
The Bowing Position
“After saying ‘Allahu Akbar,’ one reaches the bowing position, known as ruk’u, and here, ‘Subhâne Rabbiye’l-azim’ is recited three times. While bowing, one looks at their toes. Men, during the bowing position, keep their backs straight, with fingers apart, holding onto their knees. They keep their knees and elbows straight. Women, on the other hand, slightly incline their backs and bow less than men. They place their hands (without spreading their fingers) on their knees and keep their knees slightly bent.”
Standing up from Bowing
“After saying ‘Semiallâhü limen hamideh,’ one rises from the bowing position, and while standing, ‘Rabbena leke’l-hamd’ is said. Both men and women stand up straight from the bowing position.”
The prostration position
“Saying ‘Allahu Akbar,’ one reaches the prostration position. When descending into prostration, first the knees, then the hands, followed by the forehead and nose are placed on the ground. During prostration, the head is positioned between the two hands and at the same level. The feet are not lifted during prostration, and one looks at the sides of the nose. Here, ‘Subhâne Rabbiye’l-âlâ’ is recited three times. Men, in prostration, keep their elbows away from their sides, with their arms raised from the ground. Feet are kept upright on the toes, and the fingertips are placed on the ground, pointing towards the qibla. Women, during prostration, keep their arms close to their sides. Feet are kept upright on the toes, and the fingertips are placed on the ground, pointing towards the qibla.”
Sitting position between two prostrations
- “Saying ‘Allahu Akbar,’ one raises the head from prostration and sits on the knees. While sitting, the fingers are placed on the thighs with the hands aligned with the knees, and one looks towards the lap. Here, a brief moment is spent, enough to say ‘Subhanallah.’
- “Men sit on the left foot by placing it on the ground, while keeping the toes of the right foot upright and pointing towards the qibla.”
- “Women extend their legs to the right side and sit in that position.”
- “Saying ‘Allahu Akbar,’ one reaches the prostration position for the second time, and ‘Subhâne Rabbiye’l-âlâ’ is recited three times.”
- “Saying ‘Allahu Akbar,’ one rises from prostration to the standing position (second rak’ah) and folds the hands.”
- “When rising from prostration, first the head, then the hands, and finally, placing the hands on the knees, lift the knees off the ground. From the opening Takbir until this point, what has been performed is called ‘one rak’ah.’
- “Saying ‘Allahu Akbar,’ one reaches the prostration position for the second time, and ‘Subhâne Rabbiye’l-âlâ’ is recited three times.”
- “Saying ‘Allahu Akbar,’ one rises from prostration to the standing position for the second rak’ah, and folds the hands.”
- “When rising from prostration, first the head, then the hands, and finally, placing the hands on the knees, lift the knees off the ground. From the opening Takbir until this point, what has been performed is called ‘one rak’ah.’
- “While standing, in order: a) Basmala, b) Recitation of Al-Fatiha, c) Recitation of another chapter from the Qur’an. Just like in the first rak’ah, saying ‘Allahu Akbar,’ one reaches the bowing position (ruku) and ‘Subhâne Rabbiye’l-azim’ is recited three times.”
- “Saying ‘Sami Allahu liman hamidah,’ one stands up, and while standing, ‘Rabbenâ leke’l-hamd’ is said.”
- “Saying ‘Allahu Akbar,’ one reaches the prostration position. Here, ‘Subhâne Rabbiye’l-âlâ’ is recited three times.”
- “Saying ‘Allahu Akbar,’ one rises from prostration and sits on the knees. Here, a brief moment is spent, enough to say ‘Subhanallah.’
- “Then, saying ‘Allahu Akbar,’ one reaches the prostration position for the second time, and ‘Subhâne Rabbiye’l-âlâ’ is recited three times.”
Last sitting position
“Saying ‘Allahu Akbar,’ one sits after rising from prostration. While sitting, the fingers are placed on the thighs, with the hands aligned with the knees, and one looks towards the lap. In this sitting position, the following are performed in order: a) Tashahhud (Ettehiyyatü), b) Sending blessings on the Prophet (Allahümme salli), c) Seeking blessings for all creation (Allahümme bârik), d) Supplication for oneself and seeking forgiveness (Rabbena atina and Rabbenağfirli). Men sit on the left foot by placing it on the ground, while keeping the toes of the right foot upright and pointing towards the qibla. Women extend their legs to the right side and sit in that position.”
“First, turning the head to the right, one says ‘Esselâmü aleyküm ve rahmetüllâh’ (Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you).”
“While giving the Salam, one looks towards the shoulders. Then, turning the head to the left, one says ‘Esselâmü aleyküm ve rahmetüllâh’ (Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you).”
Thus, the two units of rak’ah are completed.
To learn in more detail how to perform different prayers for both men and women through animations, you can check out our AlimKids application or our Youtube channel.